Biodiversity
Small actions make a big difference — learn how your group can help nature flourish where you live.
Biodiversity is the variety of all living things — from plants and pollinators to birds, mammals and micro-organisms. A healthy natural environment supports clean air, fresh water, fertile soil and resilience against climate change. By protecting and enhancing biodiversity in our local areas, we can make our communities more attractive, vibrant and sustainable places to live.
How Your Group Can Help
Community groups play a vital role in restoring and protecting local nature. Whether you manage a shared green space, organise clean-up events, or simply want to make your neighbourhood more wildlife-friendly, there are many ways to get involved:
- Plant for pollinators: Choose native wildflowers, shrubs and trees that provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Check out the guide below.
- Create habitats: Build bug hotels, bird boxes or hedgehog corridors to give local wildlife a place to thrive. Check out the guide below.
- Go pesticide-free: Reduce or eliminate chemical use to protect soil health and pollinators.
- Protect waterways: Keep rivers, ponds and coastal areas clean to support aquatic biodiversity.
- Record what you see: Take part in citizen science projects to monitor local species and contribute to national biodiversity data.
Every action, no matter how small, adds up to a big difference. By working together to protect and enhance biodiversity, community groups can help ensure that Northern Ireland’s wildlife and habitats continue to flourish for generations to come.
Resources and Support
Live Here Love Here offers a range of materials and funding opportunities to help you make a difference:
Planting for Pollinators Guide
Support bees, butterflies and other pollinators by choosing the right plants for your local area. This guide helps you plan seasonal planting that keeps wildlife fed all year round.
Download the Planting for Pollinators Guide
Creating Wildlife Habitats
Learn how to make your outdoor spaces more wildlife-friendly with simple, affordable ideas — from bug hotels and bird boxes to hedgehog highways and log piles.
Download the Creating Wildlife Habitats Guide
Citizen Science & Species Recording Guide
Make your observations count! Learn how to record local wildlife sightings and contribute to biodiversity data that informs conservation efforts across Northern Ireland.
Coming soon — check back here!
Small Grants Scheme
Bring your biodiversity project to life with the Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme — funding, guidance, and support to help your community create thriving habitats and a greener local environment.
Find out more here.